Covington Counselors Corner Week of September 23, 2024
American Indian Heritage Day and Orange Shirt Day
HB 174 designated the last Friday in September as American Indian Heritage Day. This day recognizes the historic, social, and cultural contributions of American Indian communities and leaders have made to Texas. Public school observation of American Indian Heritage Day can include appropriate ceremonies, activities and other programs.
Join the Bullock Museum and Great Promise for American Indians in celebrating the 12th Annual American Indian Heritage Day on Friday, September 27! Celebrate from the classroom with on-demand resources, including a curator talk, dancing performances, storytelling, artmaking, and learning activities. The Bob Bullock Museum is offering a livestream dancing and drumming performance at noon on September 27, available through the Bullock Museum’s You Tube Channel
Orange Shirt Day, also known as National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, recognizes the impacts of residential schools on Indigenous children, lifeways, and cultures. Orange Shirt Day is a day of mourning for Indigenous people in the U.S. and in Canada.
Orange Shirt Day is observed on September 30. Established in 2013 as a Canadian observance, Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who left her home on the Dog Creek reserve in Canada in 1973 to attend boarding school. When she got to school, she was stripped and her clothing, including her favorite orange shirt given to her by her grandmother, was taken away.
Orange Shirt Day is a call to action. Participate in Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange and using these resources to create an activity to recognize boarding school survivors, remember the children who never came home, and work to create a community that celebrates and honors Indigenous children and communities.
Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral Window
Families, teachers, or staff may nominate students for the GT screening process. The referral window for the 2024-25 school year is August 20 - October 7, 2024. Contact Debra Austrum, GT Advocate, if you have questions about the process at (512) 414-3276 or debra.austrum@austinisd.org.
Gifted and Talented (GT) Services/Servicios Para Dotados Y Talentosos (GT)
AISD Gifted & Talented (GT) Referral Form
Classroom Guidance Lessons
Students received classroom guidance in August and September with topics focusing on grades, attendance, digital citizenship, and an introduction on what their school counselor does as well as how to visit the school counselor.
One-on-One Mini Meetings
Counselors are working diligently to meet with each individual student one-on-one during Mini Meetings. These meetings are designed to create a relationship with the student and his/her counselor, as well as to see if there are any needs the student may need in order to help them be successful in school and at home.
Referral Process for Students to See a Counselor:
Students and parents can navigate to Blend and find the counseling referral form in the Counseling Classroom. Paper copies are also available with teachers.
Important Dates
August 20th - October 7th - Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral window
September - National Suicide Prevention Month
September 15 - October 15, 2024 - Hispanic Heritage Month
September 24 - 6:00 - 7:00 pm - District Virtual GT Information Session
(This link will open the Zoom session: www.bit.ly/AISDGTINFO)
September 25 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Virtual GT Information Session
(This link will open the Zoom session: www.bit.ly/AISDGTINFO)
September 27 - American Indian Heritage Day
September 30 - Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)
Mrs. Debra Austrum
6th Grade & 7th Grade A-L
debra.austrum@austinisd.org
Ms. Rabecca McDonald
7th Grade M-Z & 8th Grade
rabecca.mcdonald@austinisd.org
